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MLB Power Rankings After Mets, Rangers, Red Sox and Yankees All Struggle
After stumbling two weeks ago and slipping a few spots in the rankings as a result, the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres are again perched atop this week's MLB power rankings.
Meanwhile, the Detroit Tigers maintained the top spot among American League teams, while a slide by the New York Yankees has dropped them out of the top 10 entirely and opened the door for multiple AL teams to overtake them.
Further down the rankings, the Kansas City Royals and Athletics were two of this week's biggest climbers, but can they solidify their standing with another strong performance this week?
All of that to say, these rankings remain an extremely fluid process, especially this early in the season when sample sizes are still small enough for one week's worth of games to have a major impact on the MLB landscape.
If a team is winning, it will climb; if a team is losing, it will fall. It's as simple as that.
Nos. 30-28
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30. Colorado Rockies (6-28)
Previous Rank: 30
Last Week: 1-2 vs. ATL, 1-3 @ SF
The Rockies were on pace to lose 138 games at this time a week ago, but that has improved to a 133-loss pace after they picked up one win each against the Braves and Giants. They even had their first winning streak of the season since those wins came back-to-back on Wednesday and Thursday. How long before they finally pick up a series win?
29. Pittsburgh Pirates (12-23)
Previous Rank: 28
Last Week: 1-2 vs. CHC, 0-3 vs. SD
The Pirates have lost four of their last five series, going 4-13 during that stretch to tumble to the bottom tier of teams. Paul Skenes and Andrew Heaney are both pitching at an All-Star level and the starting rotation as a whole has logged a passable 4.39 ERA, but the offense ranks near the bottom of the league in batting average (.223, 27th), OPS (.641, 28th) and runs per game (3.26, 28th).
28. Miami Marlins (13-20)
Previous Rank: 27
Last Week: 0-3 @ LAD, 1-2 vs. ATH
The Marlins snapped a six-game losing streak with a walk-off victory against the Athletics on Saturday, but they could not avoid their third straight series loss as they fell 3-2 on Sunday. On a positive note, outfielders Kyle Stowers (124 PA, .321/.387/.541, 11 XBH) and Dane Myers (69 PA, .344/.391/.531, 6 XBH) are both enjoying breakout seasons offensively.
Nos. 27-25
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27. Los Angeles Angels (13-20)
Previous Rank: 25
Last Week: 0-2 @ SEA, 1-3 vs. DET
Since starting the season 9-5 and climbing as high as No. 9 in these rankings, the Angels have gone 4-15 in their last 19 games while also watching Mike Trout again land on the injured list, this time with a bone bruise in his knee. Left-hander Tyler Anderson (6 GS, 2.67 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 33.2 IP) is again shaping up to be the team's best All-Star candidate in the final season of a three-year, $39 million deal.
26. Chicago White Sox (10-24)
Previous Rank: 29
Last Week: 1-2 vs. MIL, 2-1 vs. HOU
The White Sox picked up their second series win of the season by taking two of three from the Astros over the weekend, and they have quietly gone a respectable 5-5 over their last 10 games. The fact that they have climbed off the first page of teams is a small victory in itself, as they spent almost the entire 2024 season in one of those bottom-three spots.
25. Baltimore Orioles (13-20)
Previous Rank: 26
Last Week: 2-1 vs. NYY, 1-2 vs. KC
The Orioles played 57 games before they recorded their 20th loss of the season a year ago, and with a starting rotation that ranks 28th in the majors with a 5.69 ERA, the hypothetical panic button is looking increasingly pushable. Former top prospect Jackson Holliday had the first multi-homer game of his MLB career on Sunday, and he is now up to a .783 OPS on the year.
Nos. 24-22
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24. Minnesota Twins (15-20)
Previous Rank: 24
Last Week: 1-3 @ CLE, 2-1 @ BOS
After a rocky 7-15 start to the season, the Twins have started to get back on track with an 8-5 record over their last 13 games. Granted, that stretch included series wins over two of the worst teams in baseball in the White Sox and Angels, but every turnaround has to start somewhere. Right-hander Joe Ryan (7 GS, 2.93 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 47 K, 40.0 IP) could be on his way to his first career All-Star selection.
23. Toronto Blue Jays (16-18)
Previous Rank: 23
Last Week: 2-1 vs. BOS, 1-2 vs. CLE
After an ugly 1-8 stretch of games, the Blue Jays scored a walk-off win over the Red Sox on Wednesday and used that as the catalyst for a modest three-game winning streak. Veterans Spencer Turnbull and José Ureña were both signed to MLB deals on Saturday in hopes of shoring up the staff behind Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt and José Berríos.
22. Atlanta Braves (15-18)
Previous Rank: 21
Last Week: 2-1 @ COL, 1-2 vs. LAD
The Braves had a 9-2 stretch of games halted by a three-game losing streak last week, though they did manage to avoid getting swept by the Dodgers with a win on Sunday Night Baseball. Who would have guessed Alex Verdugo and Eli White would be manning the corner outfield spots in May, with old friend Eddie Rosario serving as fourth outfielder?
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Nos. 21-19
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21. Washington Nationals (16-19)
Previous Rank: 20
Last Week: 0-1 vs. NYM, 1-2 @ PHI, 2-1 @ CIN
With MacKenzie Gore (8 GS, 3.33 ERA, 68 K, 46.0 IP), James Wood (155 PA, .926 OPS, 9 HR, 21 RBI) and CJ Abrams (97 PA, .856 OPS, 11 XBH, 6 SB) all off to strong starts, the Juan Soto-to-San Diego trade is paying huge dividends for the Nationals ongoing rebuild. They might not be ready to contend for a playoff berth, but should improve on last year's 71-91 finish.
20. St. Louis Cardinals (16-19)
Previous Rank: 22
Last Week: 2-2 @ CIN, 2-1 vs. NYM
The Cardinals added three new faces to the bullpen last week in a series of roster moves while also again shifting Steven Matz out of the starting rotation, and they continue to search for answers in a bullpen that ranks 24th in the majors with a 4.51 ERA and has eight losses and seven blown saves. Meanwhile, left-hander Matthew Liberatore (6 GS, 3.44 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 34.0 IP) is enjoying a breakout season in the rotation.
19. Texas Rangers (17-18)
Previous Rank: 17
Last Week: 1-3 vs. ATH, 1-2 vs. SEA
The wheels have fallen off for the Rangers over the past couple weeks, with five straight series losses and a 5-11 record overall during that stretch. Nathan Eovaldi, Tyler Mahle and Jacob deGrom have led the starting rotation to a 3.09 ERA that leads the AL, but the bullpen has been shaky and the offense is still not playing up to its potential. Slugger Jake Burger was optioned to the minors on Friday after hitting .190/.231/.330 with 32 strikeouts over his first 30 games.
Nos. 18-16
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18. Milwaukee Brewers (17-18)
Previous Rank: 16
Last Week: 2-1 @ CWS, 1-2 vs. CHC
The Brewers are tied for the MLB lead with 26 games played against teams with a winning record on the year, going 12-14 in those contests, so their record does not necessarily reflect how well they have performed over a grueling first month. A staggering 10 different pitchers have started at least one game for the Brewers already this year, and rookie Chad Patrick (7 G, 6 GS, 2.87 ERA, 31.1 IP) has been a pleasant surprise.
17. Houston Astros (17-16)
Previous Rank: 15
Last Week: 2-1 vs. DET, 1-2 @ CWS
A series loss to the White Sox is going to cost you a few spots in the rankings, even on the road, and the Astros dropped two of three to the South Siders over the weekend to wrap up a nine-game stretch against AL Central foes. Veteran Lance McCullers Jr. made his first appearance since Game 3 of the 2022 World Series on Sunday, tossing 3.2 scoreless innings.
16. Tampa Bay Rays (16-18)
Previous Rank: 11
Last Week: 0-3 vs. KC, 2-1 @ NYY
The Rays were one of the biggest risers in last week's rankings following series wins on the road against the Diamondbacks and Padres, but they crashed back to earth when they suffered a three-game sweep at the hands of the Royals. The offense was shut out twice last week, and has been limited to three or fewer runs five times in their last six games.
Nos. 15-13
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15. Boston Red Sox (18-18)
Previous Rank: 9
Last Week: 1-2 @ TOR, 1-2 vs. MIN
The Red Sox still sit second in the AL East standings even after a pair of series losses last week, and they welcomed catcher Conner Wong back to the active roster on Friday. How many teams are regretting not signing Alex Bregman while watching him hit .317/.396/.583 with 13 doubles, eight home runs and 27 RBI through his first 35 games in a Red Sox uniform?
14. Cincinnati Reds (18-17)
Previous Rank: 14
Last Week: 2-2 vs. STL, 1-2 vs. WAS
The Reds starting rotation ranks among the MLB leaders in ERA (3.65, ninth), WHIP (1.10, first) and opponents' batting average (.218, second), and it has done a solid job propping up an inconsistent offense. Ace Hunter Greene (7 GS, 2.53 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 55 K, 42.2 IP) is a bona fide Cy Young candidate, while Brady Singer (6 GS, 3.24 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 36 K, 33.1 IP) has made an immediate impact after coming over in an offseason deal with the Royals.
13. Arizona Diamondbacks (18-16)
Previous Rank: 12
Last Week: 2-1 @ NYM, 1-2 @ PHI
Ketel Marte returned to action on Friday after missing 24 games with a hamstring injury, and he went 1-for-7 with a walk in his first two games back over the weekend. On the flip side, the bullpen is in a state of flux with A.J. Puk (elbow inflammation) and Justin Martinez (shoulder inflammation) both on the shelf, thrusting a committee of Shelby Miller, Kevin Ginkel and Ryan Thompson into the closer's role.
Nos. 12-10
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12. Athletics (19-16)
Previous Rank: 19
Last Week: 3-1 @ TEX, 2-1 @ MIA
The Athletics continue to play well on the road with a pair of series wins last week and a 13-7 record overall away from their temporary home at Sutter Health Park. But with 13 of their next 19 games at home, they will need to sort things out in Sacramento. Right-hander Gunnar Hoglund—who was part of the return package in the deal that sent Matt Chapman to Toronto—made his MLB debut on Friday and tossed six innings of six-hit, one-run ball against the Marlins.
11. New York Yankees (19-15)
Previous Rank: 6
Last Week: 1-2 @ BAL, 1-2 vs. TB
The Yankees have lost three of their last four series, posting a 5-7 record overall during that window, and that's enough to drop them out of the top 10 with several teams below them getting hot. Left-hander Max Fried has been worth every penny of his $218 million deal so far, going 6-0 with a 1.01 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 39 strikeouts in 44.2 innings over his first seven starts in pinstripes.
10. Kansas City Royals (19-16)
Previous Rank: 18
Last Week: 3-0 @ TB, 2-1 @ BAL
The Royals snapped a six-game losing streak and avoided getting swept by the Tigers with an extra-inning victory on April 20. Since that time, they've gone 11-2 with a plus-26 run differential in their last 13 games to vault into the top 10 and again look like a legitimate contender. The starting rotation is again their biggest strength with a 3.26 ERA that ranks fourth in the majors, though the bullpen has also been rock solid thanks to the one-two punch of Lucas Erceg and Carlos Estévez at the back end.
Nos. 9-7
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9. Cleveland Guardians (20-14)
Previous Rank: 13
Last Week: 3-1 vs. MIN, 2-1 @ TOR
The Guardians played .500 baseball through their first 18 games, but have since won four of their last five series to jump back into the thick of the AL Central race alongside the Tigers and Royals. The pitching staff has gone from third (3.61) to 18th (4.20) in overall ERA, though this year's numbers are inflated by a 72-hour stretch where they allowed 31 runs in three games.
8. Philadelphia Phillies (19-15)
Previous Rank: 10
Last Week: 2-1 vs. WAS, 2-1 vs. ARI
The Phillies welcomed back starter Ranger Suárez and center fielder Brandon Marsh on Saturday, demoting Taijuan Walker to the bullpen and moving Johan Rojas back into a bench role in the process. If they can find a reliable combination of bullpen arms to bridge the gap to José Alvarado in the ninth inning, all the pieces are there for this team to contend for a title.
7. New York Mets (22-13)
Previous Rank: 4
Last Week: 1-0 vs. WAS, 1-2 vs. ARI, 1-2 @ STL
Since having a seven-game winning streak snapped with a walk-off loss on April 25, the Mets have gone 4-6 in their last 10 games. They have used seven different starting pitchers over their last seven games, and with a scheduled off day on Thursday they will have a much-needed opportunity to reset. A tough week awaits with three road games against the D-backs before they welcome the Cubs to Citi Field.
Nos. 6-4
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6. Seattle Mariners (20-13)
Previous Rank: 7
Last Week: 2-0 vs. LAA, 2-1 @ TEX
The Mariners won six in a row before dropping Sunday's series finale in Arlington, and they scored 50 runs across those six games as the offense has been firing on all cylinders. Meanwhile, with Logan Gilbert and George Kirby on the sidelines, the starting rotation has been middle-of-the-pack, while the bullpen—aside from closer Andrés Muñoz—has been shaky. A 20-13 start on the strength of their offense, just like we all expected.
5. San Francisco Giants (22-13)
Previous Rank: 1
Last Week: 0-2 @ SD, 3-1 vs. COL
The Giants' stay in the No. 1 spot was short-lived, as they lost consecutive games to the division-rival Padres before allowing the Rockies to pick up their sixth win of the season on Thursday. Second baseman Tyler Fitzgerald landed on the injured list with a fractured rib last week, creating a void that will be filled by Christian Koss and Brett Wisely for the time being.
4. Chicago Cubs (21-14)
Previous Rank: 5
Last Week: 2-1 @ PIT, 2-1 @ MIL
The Cubs enter play on Monday with the largest division lead of any team, up three games on the Reds in the NL Central standings. Kyle Tucker has been as good as advertised, Pete Crow-Armstrong is a budding star, the rotation has been excellent and the bullpen is rounding into form. Assuming Shota Imanaga is OK after leaving Sunday's game with a hamstring injury, this team is capable of making a legitimate push for the No. 1 spot.
Nos. 3-1
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3. Detroit Tigers (22-13)
Previous Rank: 2
Last Week: 1-2 @ HOU, 3-1 @ LAA
With the best run differential (+63) in baseball, a top-five rotation (3.19 ERA, third in MLB), a top-five bullpen (2.57 ERA, third in MLB) and a top-five offense (179 runs, fourth in MLB), the Tigers are still squarely in the No. 1 spot conversation even after a series loss to the Astros last week. An offensive resurgence from Javier Báez (100 PA, .309/.350/.479, 10 XBH) was one of the biggest surprises of the season's first month.
2. San Diego Padres (22-11)
Previous Rank: 8
Last Week: 2-0 vs. SF, 3-0 @ PIT
The Padres slid all the way from No. 2 to No. 8 in these rankings last week after getting swept at home by the Rays while the offense went ice cold, but they quickly rebounded last week with a 5-0 showing to shoot back up to the No. 2 spot. Right-hander Nick Pivetta (6 GS, 5-1, 1.78 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 39 K, 35.1 IP) has been as good as any pitcher in baseball this season after joining the Padres on a four-year, $55 million deal in February.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (23-11)
Previous Rank: 3
Last Week: 3-0 vs. MIA, 2-1 @ ATL
The Dodgers return to the No. 1 spot after a one-week hiatus, and they have now spent four of the season's first six weeks perched atop these power rankings. Right-hander Tony Gonsolin made his long-awaited return from Tommy John surgery last week with a quality start (6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER), and his contributions will be even more important after Tyler Glasnow joined a long list of pitchers on the injured list. There always seems to be a quality next-man up anytime the Dodgers are dealt an injury.
Complete Rankings
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Complete Rankings
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. San Diego Padres
3. Detroit Tigers
4. Chicago Cubs
5. San Francisco Giants
6. Seattle Mariners
7. New York Mets
8. Philadelphia Phillies
9. Cleveland Guardians
10. Kansas City Royals
11. New York Yankees
12. Athletics
13. Arizona Diamondbacks
14. Cincinnati Reds
15. Boston Red Sox
16. Tampa Bay Rays
17. Houston Astros
18. Milwaukee Brewers
19. Texas Rangers
20. St. Louis Cardinals
21. Washington Nationals
22. Atlanta Braves
23. Toronto Blue Jays
24. Minnesota Twins
25. Baltimore Orioles
26. Chicago White Sox
27. Los Angeles Angels
28. Miami Marlins
29. Pittsburgh Pirates
30. Colorado Rockies
Stars of the Week
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Hitter of the Week: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
Stats: 12-for-24, 2 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 7 R
Another week, another ridiculous stat line from Judge who is laying a terrific foundation for another AL MVP run. Over his first 153 plate appearances of the season, he is hitting .423/.510/.777 with 11 home runs and 33 RBI, and his 1.287 OPS leads all qualified hitters by more than 100 points over Pete Alonso (1.138) and Alex Bregman (.979).
Pitcher of the Week: Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers
Stats: 2 GS, 2-0, 0.82 ERA, 11.0 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 10 K
Over his last four starts, deGrom has allowed just 16 hits and four earned runs over 23.1 innings of work. The Rangers lead the AL with a 3.09 ERA from the starting rotation, and the veteran trio of deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi and Tyler Mahle has been as good as any 1-2-3 in baseball over the first month of the season.
Rookie of the Week: Trey Sweeney, Detroit Tigers
Stats: 8-for-26, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 4 R, 2B
With high-priced Javier Báez enjoying an offensive resurgence while playing primarily in the outfield, Sweeney could see his role shrink once Parker Meadows returns as the primary center fielder and Báez is again in the mix for starts at shortstop. The 25-year-old is still hitting just .234/.317/.355 overall on the year, but last week was a nice flexing of his own offensive prowess.
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